Over 450 baseball and softball coaches attended the annual ISG/Italy Baseball Federation clinic in Verona over the weekend of 20-22 January.  Headed by team leader Ron Maestri, the clinic featured two members of the successful Tampa Bay Rays coaching staff, hitting coach Derek Shelton and pitching coach Jim Hickey.  Also featured were several Italian speakers and Bill Holmberg, coach at the Italian Baseball Academy.  Over the three days coaches were treated to presentations on hitting and pitching routines as well as sessions covering coaching behavior, nutrition, and conditioning and training.  A special portion of the clinic was the appearance of IBAF President Riccardo Fraccari who welcomed and praised the coaches in attendance.

_ The Olympic style Ahorn Sportpark in Paderborn, Germany was the site for the recently concluded ISG/German Baseball Federation Clinic.  Featured speakers at this year's affair were former MLB All Star Reggie Smith and Cardinals minor league pitching coach Tim Leveque.  Over 250 baseball and softball coaches, umpires and other officials attended the 10 consecutive clinic hosted by the DBV.  The Sportpark features the only indoor infield in Europe, including batting cages, pitching mounds, and other indoor practice amenities on an artificial surface.  This allowed speakers to not only present topics, but use the space for demonstrations.
Well-known German coaches George Bull and Alper Bozkurt also presented sessions in their native tongue.  Two minor league German players also demonstrated: Kai Gronauer from the AA Mets and Simon Guehring, formerly with the Brewers.

Go to facebook.com - look for International Sports Group page.  Tell us you "like" us!

Changes being made daily.  Sorry for any inconvenience.Almost finished!